Caisteal Maol and Kyleakin
SLEAT AND SOUTHERN SKYE, ARMADALE TO KYLEAKIN
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1. Park at the large car park opposite the village green in the centre of Kyleakin. The walk begins by continuing along the road towards the pier at the end of the village. After passing King Haakon's Bar, there's an optional detour on a path which heads along to the left, with a ceramic tile marker. This leads up, via steps, to Kyleakin's War Memorial atop the low hill known as An Cnap. This is a great viewpoint for the village and the straits of Kyle Rhea, with the Skye Bridge, Kyle of Lochalsh opposite, and Caisteal Maol all prominent. Return back down the steps to the road.
2. Cross over the road and head across the open area to the harbourside. There is an information board here giving details of four local walks (our route combines them all). Turn right on a path along the waters edge. A bridge is soon reached across the river to South Obbe. Cross the bridge and follow the road to the left until it ends at a pier. A path begins here which leads around the coast towards Caisteal Maol. It emerges onto the beach at a large boathouse. The route continues round to the castle on the shoreline; at low tide this is simple enough but at high tide some very rough detours inland may be necessary. Below the Castle, a clear path ascends to the ruins, passing a bench.
3. Caisteal Maol (often anglicised to Castle Moil) was the ancestral seat of the Clan MacKinnon. According to Legend it was built by 'Saucy' Mary, a Norwegian princess who married a MacKinnon. The MacKinnons' supported themselves by exacting a toll from ships passing through the straits. The castle is thought to date from the late fifteenth century and is still today a commanding viewpoint. Return by the same route to the bridge in Kyleakin.
4. Once back across this bridge, this time turn immediately left to follow the grassy river bank upstream. This leads into an area of salt marsh with many pink thrift flowers in summer. The path soon bends right, passing where the river emerges from a pond, and passes between the new Kyleakin village hall and the primary school to emerge on the main road.
5. Continue on a narrow path directly opposite to reach a telescope and some benches down by the coast. Just to the right of the Skye Bridge is Eilean Ban, the white island, the cottage on which was the last home of the famous wildlife writer Gavin Maxwell, author of Ring of Bright Water. The cottage is now a museum of Gavin Maxwell's effects, and can be visited via a boat trip from the Bright Water centre in the village. Turn right on the path just above the beach. Before arriving back at the start, there is a small wildlife garden down to the left with a pond and open hide - a possible place to spot otters.
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